August 2013 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review
With Marvel and DC taken care of let’s look at the rest of Previews. First is Dark Horse Comics. A book that promises to be a hit is Shaolin Cowboy #1. This is a character that Geof Darrow is closely tied to since he created him in 2004. I admit to not knowing this character, in 2004 I was still blind to anything non superhero related.
Without even seeing the first issue of Brain Boy #1, I am eager for #2. I am not sure why the concept of an egotistical mentally powered Matt Price strikes a chord but the book written by Fred Van Lente is a must read for me. I sense this to be the sleeper hit of the year.
Another concept that I know little of but know of its large fan following is Elfquest. Richard Pini (W) and Wendy Pini (W/A). Wendy and Richard created this property in 1978 and it has endeared itself to comic book and fantasy fans alike. This one shop is the prologue to the Elfquest: The Final Quest series, but I think it is a way to test the water for the property. Dark Horse seems to be playing a little bit of the old school genre game, and showing mad love for longtime fans, while opening things to a new generation of readers. While the art is not bad, it is the art that keeps me away from the property. The style pulls me out of the story, but the fan base for this will love it. It is nice to see a title maintain so much consistency in appearance throughout the years, without trying to bow down to a specific flavor of the month sensibility.
Fans of Locke & Key are both excited and sad as October brings us the closing of the last door and the last story of the Locke children. Joe Hill (W), and Gabriel Rodriguez (A) closes one of the best reviewed and loved books of this generation. Variants are big again and this issue is in on it, but with an incredibly robust range of variant artists including Simon Bisley, Glenn Fabry, Michael Kaluta, Bill Sienkiewicz, Dave Sim, and the grand daddy of horror art, Bernie Wrightson. At $7.99 a pop I am going to limit my choice to one, and it would have to be the Dave Sim variant which is a tribute to old school Spider-Man.
IDW are also releasing an amazing Star Trek volume. Star Trek: The Stardate Collection, Vol. 1: The Early Voyages presents the stories of the Star Trek universe in chronological order based on stardate. This series will cover all series from all publishers and the first volumes second half features one of my favorite Marvel runs, Star Trek: Early Voyages, namely the first 7 issues. Star Trek: Crew Issues #1-5 opens the book.
Ed Brubaker (W), and Steve Epting (A), are creators who brought us character defining runs on Captain America. There ability to handle the shadier side of political warfare is strong and that is why Velvet #1 should be a good read. The solicitation is exciting yet vague, but the cover definitely has the air of a female Bond type character which makes me intrigued. There are not enough strong female leads in comicdom and Velvet looks like she may be able to attain those heights. The other thing to keep in mind is that this is an Image first issue, definitely good to get in on the ground floor for these first appearances.
Another fun item is the 10th Anniversary Edition of The Walking Dead #1. What makes this special? Color! Dave Stewart, a phenomenal colorist, brings the world of zombies and survival into a realm we have never seen before. I will be grabbing this for sure!
Savage Dragon, the indy that could, by Erik Larsen, transfers the job of being the lead from father to son, as Malcolm Dragon takes on the title role. Savage Dragon #193 opens a new chapter in one of the original players of Image comics.
The last publisher to look at is Valiant and they have a couple of releases of note. First up is another storyline that will change aspects of the Valiant Universe. Much like the wonderfully written, but hastily wrapped up, Harbinger Wars, Sect Civil War will change Archer & Armstrong beginning in the 14th issue of the series. This is all out war between the different factions of the Sect, with the title characters on opposite sides. Harbinger Wars really set a standard for the event comics in the Valiant Universe, and if Archer & Armstrong is handled the same way, this will be an event worth reading.
Quantum and Woody #4 introduces the Goat! Nuff said.
Valiant looks to be releasing collections that will truly show the amazing storytelling that has cemented Valiant Entertainment as a comic book company that believes in quality, and tight storytelling. X-O Manowar Deluxe Edition Vol. 1 HC is an oversized collection of X-O Manowar #1-14, plus 20 pages of extras. For $39.99 and 384 pages, oversized pages, this is a wonderful first book in this series of collections, and will be joining my growing library of collections.
That brings an end to our look at product shipping to comic book stores starting in October of 2013. See you soon for November.
